14 Terrorist Attacks on Chinese Nationals Since 2021, 20 Killed and 34 Injured, NACTA
Over 20,000 Chinese Nationals Reside in Pakistan for CPEC Projects, Security a Top Priority, NACTA Director
Security for Major CPEC Projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan is the Military’s Responsibility, Interior Ministry Officials
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
In a briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee, it was revealed that since 2021, 14 terrorist attacks have targeted Chinese nationals, resulting in 20 deaths and 34 injuries. The attacks also caused 8 Pakistani civilian deaths and 25 injuries. The meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning, chaired by Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, was attended by officials from the Ministry of Interior, who briefed the committee on the security measures for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and the protection of Chinese nationals.
NACTA’s Director shared that since 2021, there have been 14 terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals, resulting in 20 deaths and 34 injuries. Furthermore, 8 Pakistani citizens were killed, and 25 were injured in these attacks. The briefing also disclosed that the families of deceased Chinese nationals are compensated with $250,000 each. The decision to provide this compensation was made by the federal cabinet. However, Ministry of Interior officials clarified that there is no formal agreement between China and Pakistan on this matter.
The briefing highlighted that Chinese nationals not involved in CPEC projects and those traveling across various parts of the country are more frequently targeted by terrorists. NACTA’s Director indicated that foreign hostile agencies and terrorist groups, including the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), are involved in these attacks. The committee was informed that of the terrorist attacks, 8 occurred in Sindh, 4 in Balochistan, and 2 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Director of NACTA assured that over 20,000 Chinese nationals are currently residing in Pakistan for various CPEC projects, and their security is a top priority for the government. Officials from the Ministry of Interior stated that 1% of the budget allocated for each project is spent on the security of Chinese nationals. The standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the security of Chinese nationals are regularly reviewed. Chinese authorities share relevant information with Pakistani agencies, and the security for major CPEC projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan is handled by the military.
The briefing further explained that these areas are more vulnerable to terrorist attacks compared to other, relatively peaceful regions of the country. A high-level coordination group, including officials from police, security, and intelligence agencies, has been formed to oversee the security of Chinese nationals. Two army corps have been deployed for the security of CPEC projects.
In 2024, SOPs for Chinese security were revised, and additional SOPs were introduced for non-CPEC projects. A security cell has also been set up at the Chinese Embassy, and regular contact is maintained. The briefing concluded that, to date, there have been no direct terrorist attacks on CPEC projects.
Committee member Dawood Kundi asked whether an agreement had been made to compensate the families of deceased Chinese nationals, to which Ministry of Interior officials clarified that there was no such agreement between China and Pakistan. Pakistan, on its own, had decided to compensate the families. Dawood Kundi also inquired about the compensation amount for each deceased, to which the officials responded that $250,000 is provided for each deceased Chinese national. Compensation has already been paid to the families of those killed in the Karachi and Dasu incidents.